How to prevent limescale build-up in the dishwasher?

Issue

• How to prevent limescale build-up in the dishwasher?
• Why should you use salt in the dishwasher?
• What do you need the dishwasher water hardness setting for?

Applies to

• dishwashers

Resolution

1. Set the water hardness level of the dishwasher according to the tap water hardness level

Water hardness table

German degrees (°dH)	French degrees (°fH)	mmol / l	Clarke degrees	Water softener level
47 - 50	84 - 90	8.4 - 9.0	58 - 63	10
43 - 46	76 - 83	7.6 - 8.3	53 - 57	9
37 - 42	65 - 75	6.5 - 7.5	46 - 52	8
29 - 36	51 - 64	5.1 - 6.4	36 - 45	7
23 - 28	40 - 50	4.0 - 5.0	28 - 35	6
19 - 22	33 - 39	3.3 - 3.9	23 - 27	5 factory setting
15 - 18	26 - 32	2.6 - 3.2	18 - 22	4
11 - 14	19 - 25	1.9 - 2.5	13 - 17	3
4 - 10	7 - 18	0.7 - 1.8	5 - 12	2
<4	<7	<0.7	< 5	1 do not use salt at this level

2. Use salt every time, even if you use multi-detergent tablets, to:

•   prevent the formation of the limescale on the heater

•   get the best dish-washing performance

•   prevent the formation of white spots on glass

3.   Consult your user manual:

•    on how to fill the salt container

•    on how to properly open and close the salt cap

•    to put salt just before starting a wash cycle (to avoid salt crystals remaining on the tub bottom)

4.  Use a descaler once every two months or 60 cycles. It prevents the limescale depositing on the heater. 

Follow carefully the instructions on the packaging of the product. We recommend specialized maintenance detergents available from our Webshop.

Important remarks about the detergent:

Local or unknown brand detergents do not always guarantee the same washing performance. For the same brand, the detergent manufacturer and its chemical composition may differ. Washing performance may vary completely and sometimes causing the foam formation.

Cause

• In the presence of hard water and incorrect water softening settings, limescale deposits over time on the heater. As a consequence, damage requiring service intervention may occur